Guitar Instruction for Young Kids

[balerman]

I just purchased a 3/4 sized acoustic guitar for my 7 year old granddaughter and am interested in any suggestions for guitar lessons that are appropriate for someone of that age.

I'm sure that a tightly structured course designed for adults would quickly become boring for a young child.

I am fine with working with her myself if someone could suggest a commercial course geared to that age group. Or I don't mind paying an instructor for weekly lessons if someone could recommend one who is experienced with young kids in the Lehigh Valley or Carbon County area of Pennsylvania.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

[balerman]

Any suggestions? I assume someone here has experience teaching a child about 7 years old.

[mr. beaumont]

Actually, younguns need structure. Structure can still be fun.

I like teaching young kids. They don't have hangups and preconceptions.

I start out with single note melodies. We focus on getting a nice sound and playing in time. I'll often have kids sing the names of the notes as they play them...we introduce music reading...might be a month or more before we get to chords...

Anything "academic" can be made into a game. But structure and routine are critical...playing has to become part of every day for progress, and without progress, most littles will hang it up pretty quickly.

[balerman]

Thanks for your input Jeff. Is there a particular set of study guides that you have used?

[s2y]

Some of True Fire's easier courses might be alright. Not terribly expensive when the download option is used.